Exit 10/28/10

Today in class the first thing we did was reflect on our Delicious account. The average tags for our class was 51.5 tags. I was above average, but realized that I did not tag every account I added to Delicious, so I went back and added at least three tags for each website I added. The next thing that I found very intriguing was the Elluminate tool. I thought that this was very interesting because the whole class can engage in learning, if needed. Although, we just doodled on the elluminate site, I believe this is a quick and easy way to interact with your classmates as well as a great learning tool.

The next thing that we talked about in class and that I took away from class was the podcasting assignment. I know briefly what needed to be done, but now I know that the contemporary issue has to be towards/about PK-12grade learners. This assignment seems that it will be fun because you are able to put in your own thoughts about that issue. Next, we talked about our screen casting assignment due next week, which seems it could be difficult only because using a MAC is always difficult for me. Overall, the main thinking I took away from class today was the Elluminate tool.

Ch.6 Discussion Reflection

As an individual and a group, we exerted a lot of effort in preparing for this discussion. We met two times outside of class for extended period of time. We exerted equal amount of effort, which guided us an elaboration of all our ideas. We also exerted much effort in fostering past discussions. We focused on the positive things we must include and geared away from the negative things that we should not include. Through preparing for our chapter discussion, we also took time to rehearse what we wanted to say, which also allowed us to practice what we wanted to say.

The value of facilitating course content for my peers is important because it allows the students to express their knowledge and elaborate on certain information he or she obtained from the readings. I also think it is important to facilitate course content because sometimes, students are able to relate to someone who has to do similar experiences such as a chapter discussion. Overall, I think the main value of facilitating course content to my peers in the discussion. When discussing issues, students are able to further their knowledge on that specific topic.

Discussing course content with my peers impacts my future teaching in several ways because it shows me how I should teach and how I should not teach, also, to incorporate everyone’s needs into my classroom. Some things that I obtained through our discussion debriefing are using my teacher voice and filtering out filler words. I know that I try real hard to not use filler words, but it is hard to adapt to proper wording. A second thing that I would keep in mind for further discussion and my further classroom is considering different ways to share out, such as jigsaw. Having jigsaw groupings will allow me to expand each student’s thinking within different groups. I believe a jigsaw grouping with allow the students to incorporate their own personal side to each discussion, rather than just one discussion about one topic. Another thing that I would consider is to provide a summary of the discussion and/or lesson. Providing a summary will be an effective way to allow the students to know that the discussion or lesson is coming to an end. These are all future tips I will take into consideration for my future teaching.

Even though I enjoyed presenting discussion for chapter six, I am very thankful that it is over with. Doing a chapter discussion by promoting the discussion helped me to retain a lot more information that will be beneficial and important to know. I think the main thing that I will keep in mind for my future classroom is organization and preparation. As a group we did a lot of preparing and tried to organize discussion as much as possible. With preparation and organization a classroom will be more structured and the teacher (me) will be able to format a proper lesson and/or discussion.

Chapter 8: New Schools Cope with the New Technologies

How does this reading impact your thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning?

This reading impacted my thinking on technology’s role in teaching and learning by emphasizing what computer use can do for assessment, and with that the credentials students can take at any age. As I read the beginning of this chapter, three terms were defined, customization, interaction, and learner control. As the author defined each of these terms, I thought differently than how the term interaction was defined.  Interaction is supportive towards the students due to the immediate feedback because of a computer. However, if teachers took more time to do what they are suppose to do which is teach as well as help, than the student would receive that immediate feedback. Now, I am not saying that computers are wrong in engaging students in their learning, but sometimes I feel as if teachers are not given enough credit when feedback is given. Interaction should not just be related to technology, but also teachers.
         As I read the section on performance-based assessment, I was amazed by what researchers want to pursue for performance-based assessment. The national credentials is an idea that I came more and more against while I read on it. I like the idea that these credentials would “certify a learner’s expertise with respect to specific skills” as the author mentioned on page 114. However, I believe that the education system we have now, students go to school and learn the curriculum created by that school district is just fine. I know the researchers are trying to get education more on specific skills to prepare the students early on like of their occupation in life, but I would believe many students would miss out on opportunities. Now that I think of it, I really do like the idea that students can pursue their own specific skills, but what about the skills that all humans need to know. An example, if a student wanted to be a science professor, he or she would miss out on the general education because they would be focusing on that credential relating to their future occupation. That does not make sense to me.
        Later on in the chapter, the author mentions computer-based testing. I agree that computer-based testing will capture more knowledge because so much is available through a computer. I also know that computer-based testing has higher scores than paper-based testing. As I read this chapter, I agreed with things, but I also disagreed with things. I am so use to the traditional style that in time I will adapt to national credentials and other things that I am unfamiliar with.

What will you do differently as a future teacher as a direct result of this new thinking?
                As a future teacher, one thing that I would try to do differently as a direct result of this new thinking is allow my students to get that chance to take computer-based testing/assessments. I believe that their scores will be higher than paper-based testing. As for national credentials, I will allow my students to do as they want. I cannot control what they do outside of the classroom, so if they wanted to take more credentials related to their future job, the more power to them. I think the national credentials will be most appropriate at the high school age or not “any age”. Another new thinking that I will apply to my classroom is looking for variety of different performance assessments. I think that giving tests does not always show performance to the best extent because some students just simply dislike test taking. So, I will try to incorporate projects, presentations, and tests in my classroom to meet everyone’s level of performance.

Ch.9: Social Networking

How does this reading impact your thinking about technology's role in teaching and learning?

                How this reading impacts my thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning is this chapter allowed me to rethink social networking within the classroom. Prior to this reading this chapter I heard of Facebook, but never heard of Ning. First off, I think Facebook is a great way to stay connected with family and friends, especially after high school. However, the more I think about it, I could easily stay connected through a phone call every once in awhile, or I could have easily stayed connected given their email address. Second off, as I mentioned in previous blogs, Facebook is too addicting and is a huge distraction. Like the author mentioned in the chapter, Facebook is blocked in many schools if not all. I know the schools I attended have Facebook blocked. Also, the schools I do practicum at have Facebook blocked as well. The authors guess on page 133—“…about 90 percent of public schools block it and would rather it didn’t exist” is very appealing to me. I would agree with his guess of about 90 percent, but at the same time I would if teachers just say that. For instance, at my high school Facebook was blocked and so many teachers insisted it was a waste of time and they were against Facebook. However, as I look back, many of those teachers who stated similar disliking towards Facebook now have their own account. Their account on Facebook is for connections between family and friends and not for academic reasons.

                Now, what I find most appealing in this chapter is the fact that some teachers have integrated Facebook into their classroom! I have not heard of any teacher doing this before prior to reading the chapter. At the middle school or high school level, I think this is a great way to get the students involved more because “it’s Facebook.” However, my only concern is for the elementary levels, typically students in K-5 grade do not have an account or at least I would hope not!  The example given on page 137 about Jim Meredith makes me think—“what’s the difference between blogs?” As I read this example, I thought to myself that this could have easily been done through a bloggers account for the class. However, I think the reason the teacher choose Facebook was because of the fact it was Facebook.

                As for Ning, I am still a little unfamiliar of this tool after reading the chapter. However, as I read about the examples of Ning being used in the classroom it seemed these examples had more educational and enhanced learning behind them. For example, professionals of that certain topic are able to get involved, whereas for Facebook, the examples given didn’t explain of any well-known people being involved within their class discussion. I feel Ning would create a better surrounding for students because the students are able to learn more about that particular topic.

What will you do differently as a future teacher as a direct result of this new thinking?

        As a future teacher, one thing that I would do differently as a direct result of this new thinking is not to incorporate Facebook into my classroom. My future classroom will consist of students at the first, second or third grade level, so I would think Facebook would not be beneficial towards them. Instead, I will try to incorporate different social networking tools such as wiki for the students to reflect of their work. Using a wiki will also be a good way for students to create a discussion panel if needed. As for Ning, I am not sure if I will incorporate that into my classroom. I like the fact that professionals can be involved and that would be a great way for my students to understand better, but again, at the young elementary levels some of the student’s reading skills won’t be as advanced. As for now, I will consider a variety of teaching tools, but I don’t think Facebook and Ning are one them.

iRLO Reflection

How much effort did you exert designing and creating the iRLO?

In designing and creating my iRLO, I exerted a sufficient amount of effort. I took time to draw out my ideas on a piece of paper prior to using Scratch. In fact, I drew out three different rooms, so I knew how I wanted to create them. I also wrote down all the sprites I needed. Prior to getting help by my professor, I dedicated much of my weekend in trying to figure out how to work Scratch. I used the examples on Scratch to understand how to make my Sprite move by using the arrow keys. I also watched the tutorials online to help me succeed in certain features when using Scratch. After I could no longer figure out how to do anything, I sought help from my professor. In designing my iRLO, I made everything except for “friend” and I edited “room1”, other than that I created everything on my own. After I designed and created my iRLO, I had my friends test it, so I could make any changes needed. I exerted as much effort as I could in designing and creating my iRLO.

How does designing and sharing an iRLO impact your future teaching?

            How designing my iRLO impacts my future teaching is by knowing what is suitable for my intended grade level. When I was designing it, I tried to make everything that was suitable for a second grade level. After I thought that everything was suitable for a second grader, I allowed my friends to test my iRLO. Having my friends test my iRLO allowed me to see that not everything is suitable for the second grade level. If my friends could not figure it out, I knew that my directions were not clear enough, so I then added more directions to help them understand. When designing my iRLO I realized that being specific and clear as possible when creating an iRLO will benefit the students in a big way. As a future teacher, I will try my hardest to incorporate specific and clear directions so my students can understand them.

            How sharing my iRLO impacts my future teaching is by knowing that sharing your work may be the best policy as a teacher. When you share it with others you are allowed to get constructive feedback that will more than likely make my work, in this case my iRLO, better. Sharing my work also allowed me to gain a better understanding of other’s thinking, which can be used to make my iRLO better.

IWB Reflection

How much effort did you exert designing the lesson?

As I designed my Interactive White Board I exerted a lot of effort into designing my lesson. My lesson required prior thinking, meaning that I had to think of what I would actually teach before providing my lesson. I decided that my IWB wasn’t actually a lesson, but an IWB that would enhance the student’s learning from a lesson prior to the IWB. I made sure there were few errors and always double checked to make sure everything was where it was suppose to bed. I also accepted my constructive feedback from peers and will make adjustments to better my IWB. Another thing that I did prior to submitting my “work in progress” IWB, I made sure that I had the right Wisconsin Standard and made sure it was suitable for second grade.
            I spent a lot of hours in making my IWB to the best of my ability. Even though I did not know how to work a lot of the Smart Board features, I took time to explore certain features obtaining to my IWB. I also looked on Smart Exchange to further my ideas for my Interactive White Board. I believe I exerted a lot of effort in designing my IWB.

How does designing and sharing your IWB lesson impact your future teaching?

            Designing my own IWB lesson impacts my future teaching by allowing me to be more aware of the Smart Board features. By getting a head start with the IWB if you will, will allow me to be more prepared for my future lessons that are interactive with the white board. It also allowed me to see that it does require time. As a future teacher, I would hope it would only take an hour to prepare an IWB for my future students due to all the prior practice I had.

            Sharing my IWB lesson also impacted my future teaching. Sharing my IWB allowed me to see that having others review my work will allow me to make better changes in bettering that specific lesson. Sharing my lesson also allowed others to obtain ideas from my IWB. Also through sharing my lesson, I was able to obtain advice which helped me not only correct mistakes, but made my IWB friendlier for second graders. In reviewing my peers work, I was also able to gain ideas that I could use for the future if needed. Overall, designing and sharing my IWB lesson impacted my future teaching for the best.

Ch. 7 (Rethinking Education) What May be Lost and What May be LGained

How does this reading impact your thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning?

            How this reading impacts my thinking on technology’s role in learning and teaching is the chapter makes be rethink technology, again. As I read this chapter, I again, became more against technology use within the classroom and the fact of how fast technology is evolving.
            On page 107, one statement that I agreed with is when the author asked, “…will people become more isolated, sitting at home in front of a computer and interacting less with other people socially?” I find this question to have a straight forward answer. I know of several people who sit at home and chat online, whether it’s through Facebook, MySpace or Skype, and lack lives’ social skills. Some may say they are developing social skills using Skype because they can actually see the person perhaps, but I don’t think they are developing the correct social skills. What they are developing in online social skills, not lives’ social skills. Lives’ social skills include that face to face confrontation. I say this because the people I know that do this are some of my cousins. And let me tell you, they have no life social skills. When confronted with other they make a quick reply and quickly relieve themselves from that particular conversation. Now, I am not saying that all people are like this, but I feel technology uses like this are not beneficial for developing life social skills. Even though I can blankly answer that question with my own personal experiences, I also agree what the author states later on in the chapter.

            Later on in the chapter, the author states that technology is a great way to engage the students within an education setting. I agree with that as well. However, some technology can engage students for the wrong reason, which would counterfeit from their learning, but typically technology can engage the students in more enhance learning. It is important to keep technology in mind and also know how to correctly incorporate technology within your classroom.

What will you do differently as a future teacher as a direct result of this new thinking?

            As a direct result to this new thinking, I will encourage my students not to invest their time in online chat rooms. Although, I can only do that much and cannot control their actions outside of the classroom, I will incorporate ways to develop social skills within the classroom. As to what those ways are, I am not sure, but will create them depending on my future students. Also, as a future teacher, I will incorporate as much technology as possible. When I incorporate suitable technology tools, I will make sure that the students are properly engaging in that technology. If the students are not engaging in active learning properly, I will make changes that will benefit them.